[Dr.Rob]

Had a really crazy idea that since I'm a Colorado resident, maybe putting in for moose next year. Know where to find moose, know how to track moose.

Wonder what rifle is best for moose?

Always figured a 30-06/220 roundnose SP would be enough gun, but after seeing a bull up close wondering if 45-70 (405gr) would be better? Or just buy a new rifle anyway (.375 H&H)

Your thoughts?

Rob

[Mike Irwin]

A .30-06 with 180s or 220s should do the trick with good bullet placement and good bullets.

I'd recommend Nosler Partitions, but a number of people here have reported them shedding their rear core on hitting heavy bone. Not good on a large critter like a Moose.

Ah, what the hell, I'll still recommend Nosler Partitions, I think they're good bullets.

Personally, were I to go Moose hunting?

I'd probably use it as an excuse to finally get a .338 Win. Mag.

[Dan Morris]

Doc, the 06 will be plenty. For a Colorado area, look around Walden.
Dan

[Wild Bill]

Doc,

More of the big ugly critters have been taken in Canada with a 303 from ancient sporterised Enfields than anything else combined. Anything above that power is just personal comfort factor.

Good luck, and remember – the fun’s over after the animal hits the ground. Takes a lot to dress them and pack ‘em out!

Cheers

[Northwest Cajun]

Doc,
A buddy of mine in Alaska got one with a 350gr @ 2100 fps out of a 45-70. He said it dropped like a rock.


Cajun

[priv8ter]

A buddy of mine lived in Alaska for 8 years, and he went 8 for 8 on Moose using 200gr bullet's in an -06. They were handloads...not sure what kind of load he used.

[Keith]

There's mooses and mooses... Colorado would have Shiraz Moose, the smallest of the family. I would think that whatever you use for elk, would be fine for moose.

Keith

[Smoke]

I always wanted to take a moose myself.

The only CO moose I have seen were in the Powderhorn Valley between Gunnison and Lake City. Saw a cow one time, and a cow and a calf another. Haven't seen a bull yet.

[JohnDog]

Rob,

You probably won't have to make a rifle decision for a while - it's going to take you a few years to draw a tag. IIRC, the moose application is like the bighorn sheep process. You need to get three preference points before you even get in the drawing - then you get a weighted point for each year you don't draw after that.

Like Smoke said, there are some moose down in the south part of the state. I saw a cow down west of Creede, by Rio Grande Res., two years ago. I think some of the units around there are open for moose, but most of them are in the North Park area.

We had one running around the Springs last year. DOW thought he came from the Creede area and he spent a lot of time in Monument Valley park. He was a young bull and eventually moved north to the Air Force Academy. Had legs like stilts - must have been a Moose "teenager".

JohnDog

[labgrade]

"and remember – the fun’s over after the animal hits the ground. Takes a lot to dress them and pack ‘em out!"

Yup.

& if you ever even thought elk were "fun" once they're down .... moose are "funner." ;)

Heard that the Indians said, "if you kill a moose, make camp."

Easier to bring all your stuff there than to bring the moose to where you were.

Doc, try the DOW stats, etc. Heard a bud say he drew 2X right off for cow moose in 172 - first off. Worth a look anyway.

[Dr.Rob]

Well I kinda figured it might take a year or two to get a tag.

You all are supposed to be telling me to buy a new rifle, not use what I have. :rolleyes:

[H&Hhunter]

You all are supposed to be telling me to buy a new rifle, not use what I have.

Dr Rob,
Now just simmer down and get your credit card ready cause here goes.

I read this in Moose Hunter Magazine yesterday.... Go figure!!

The Shiras Moose also known locally as "ole iron sides" has such tough side plates of pure gristle bone and iron oxide that many sub caliber rounds such as the .30-06 have been known to deflect off of a broadside shot moose.

Many many many hunters are killed every year while trying to collect a shiras moose as the shiras unlike other sub species is known for it's ferocity when wounded. The shiras also known locally as "Bowinkle death" will nearly always recede into the thick aspens and circle back on it's blood trail ,wait for the unsuspecting hunter and charge from the rear at close quarters. Often time this manuver also known as the "Bowinkle Shuffle" proves fatal to the hunter using a little pip-squeak sissy gun like the .30-06.

Bubba Magnum at "Moose Hunter Magazine" recomends the .375H&H as a starting point while in the field pursuing the brown eyed and ferocious "Bowinkle Death". I would also second his recomendation as two of my friends and 16 of my realitives have meet their ends while in pursuit of the great horned one, the master of disaster, the dealer of evil, the ayatolla of rockin rolla, the one and only shiras moose.:what:

Respectfully
You need a bigger gun.

H&Hhunter.

[ExpatGator]

Of all of the previous suggestions I like H&Hhunter's the best, if only because he recommends getting a bigger gun. In all seriousness, my moose did the three step and went down after receiving a 180 gr. Remington Core-lokt broadside in the boiler room at about 20 feet. Yeah I know that was kinda easy shooting, but I was food hunting not trophy hunting.

[JohnDog]

Sorry - ignore previous post - I was at work - too serious and practical!

New rifle - yeah those Colorado Mooses I saw looked pretty tough. Thirty caliber bullets would just bounce off. Some thing more substantial is needed.

How about one of those new Remington Guide Rifles in .350 Rem Mag?

Winchester has a current run of 1895 lever actions in .405 Win and Hornady is making factory ammo for the .405 again.

I've got a spare .30-06 in the safe that keeps telling me that it needs to be rebarreled to .338-06 or .35 Whelen for my eventual moose hunting trip to Alaska. I keep telling it to be quiet - but it is getting louder and louder.

There ya go - that should give you some more ideas.

JohnDog

[Dan Morris]

Rob, as Deans is going out of business, every thing is 25% off....just go buy another rifle.It will make you feel beter.LOL
Dan
:cool:

[Dr.Rob]

Deans is??

Grabs check book...

Those guys have tons of BP supplies as well...

[Sunray]

"...the fun’s over after the animal hits the ground..." That's putting it mildly. If anyone ever asks you where you shoot a moose. Look them straight in the eye and say, "Close to the road!"

[Dr.Rob]

Well thanks to Dean's I now have 200 hornady interlock 220gr round nose bullets, they will get new life with some once fired Remington brass and a hefty dose of accurate arms 4350.

Talk about heavy for caliber.. these things are as long as a 38 special cartridge!:uhoh:

[Byron Quick]

You need a new rifle for this. At least a .375 H&H! Remember, your first impulse is usually correct...

[Obiwan]

1. Buy a new rifle...better yet buy 2!

2. Lure the Moose onto a trailer before you shoot it

[iluv308]

Hi,
I live on the B.C./Yukon Border in hunting season. I would have to say our 55-60 inch moose are just as tough as the ironside moose down south....303s are popular with 180s, 220s if you can find em....I have use a 308 win (a little light), 30-06 and 300 mag.....180 gr bullets (nosler or Barnes x seam to be the best)....I think a 375 is fine medicine for Grizz.....sure what the heck use it on ur moose if you have lots a money to spend....one ones i have shot are too much gun/recoil/weight......3006 with a 200 gr nosler partion will do anything a 300 mag factory 180 will (I think I'm quoing someone).....I'm off to hunt moose in a few days with a 300 mag and a 308 as a spare.......good moosing:)

[stevelyn]

The .30-06/.308 w/ 180gr bullets is more than adequate for moose. Spend a little extra money though and get premium ammo with premium bullets from one of the usual suspects such as Federal's Premium line with Nosler Partitions, Winchester Supremes w/ Fail-Safes, Remington Premier etc.

[H&Hhunter]

The .30-06/.308 w/ 180gr bullets is more than adequate for moose. Spend a little extra money though and get premium ammo with premium bullets from one of the usual suspects such as Federal's Premium line with Nosler Partitions, Winchester Supremes w/ Fail-Safes, Remington Premier etc.

Stevelyn

Dr. Rob is trying to rationalize a new gun purchase and here you go being all senseable. Dude help the guy out would ya?!?;)